Article support device mountable with stretch releasing adhesive

ABSTRACT

An article support device for vertical mounting on a wall surface includes a base plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, and a cover plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The base plate front surface and the cover plate rear surface include a raised connecting portion and a cooperating recess configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, any load applied to the cover plate creates a force in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of horizontal sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate. A method of mounting a hook on a vertical surface using the article support device is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to article support devices, such as hooks and, more particularly, to article support devices mountable with stretch removable adhesive.

It is known to use stretch releasing adhesive strips having non-adhesive pull tabs to mount items on a wall surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,581 (Kreckel et al.), for example, discloses a removable adhesive strip that can be used to mount various items such as hooks, calendars, posters, and signs on a wall surface.

When using stretch releasing adhesive strips to mount an object on a wall surface, the non-adhesive pull tab at one end of the strip must either be left exposed to allow a user who later wishes to separate the objects to grasp it, or the mounted object must be designed to selectively conceal and expose the pull tab to allow a user to access the pull tab during the stretch removal process. U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,464 (Hamerski et al.), for example, discloses a two-piece hook specially made with a slidable cover portion that selectively conceals the tab portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,474 (doCanto et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,686 (Schumann), U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,864 (Schumann), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,404 (Schumann) disclose holding devices of varying complexity that are adapted for mounting on a wall using a stretch releasing adhesive tape. Each holding device includes a base plate and a front functional part that covers the base plate along with the non-adhesive pull tab, which projects beyond the base plate. When these devices are mounted on a wall, however, an individual viewing them may not recognize that the devices are mounted with a stretch removable adhesive and may not recognize that the devices are designed to reveal the non-adhesive pull tab when removal is desired. This may particularly be the case when the person wishing to remove the device is different from the person who mounted the device and is unfamiliar with the operation of the device. In addition, such devices are often difficult to use because it is difficult for a user to actuate the front functional part to reveal or otherwise expose the non-adhesive pull tab, particularly for users with limited dexterity.

There remains a need for an improved device that can be mounted on a wall surface using a stretch releasing adhesive tape having a non-adhesive pull tab that allows the non-adhesive pull tab to be concealed when the device is mounted on a surface, but allows the pull tab to be readily accessed when a user wishes to stretch remove the adhesive strip and, therefore the device, from the wall surface. In addition, there is a need for such a device that is easy and inexpensive to make and use.

It would be desirable to provide a device that can be mounted on a wall surface using a stretch releasing adhesive tape having a non-adhesive pull tab, whereby the device conceals the pull tab when the device is assembled and mounted on a wall surface, but the device can be easily disassembled to provide access to the pull tab when stretch removal from the wall surface is desired. More particularly, it would be desirable to provide: (1) an article support device in the form of, for example, a hook that can be mounted with a stretch releasing adhesive having a non-adhesive pull tab, such that when the device is assembled, it conceals the non-adhesive pull tab so it is not visible to those viewing the device; (2) to provide a device such that when it is mounted on a surface and viewed by a user, it is visually apparent to the user that the device may be separated or disassembled; (3) to provide a device whereby it is readily apparent to a user viewing the device how the device can be separated or disassembled; and (4) to provide a device such that when it is disassembled, the non-adhesive pull tab is exposed, thereby allowing a user to grasp the pull tab to stretch remove the adhesive strip, and therefore the device, from the wall surface. It would also be desirable to provide a device that is inexpensive and easy to make and use.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an article support device for vertical mounting on a wall surface. The device includes a base plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, and a cover plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The base plate front surface and the cover plate rear surface include a raised connecting portion and a cooperating recess configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, any load applied to the cover plate creates a force in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of horizontal sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate.

In one embodiment, the raised connecting portion is an elongated rail extending transversely along the rear surface of the cover plate. In another embodiment, the raised connecting portion extends transversely along the front surface of the base plate.

The recess may be an elongated channel or one or more slots that are sized to receive the raised connecting portion or portions. The recess may be formed in either the base plate or the cover plate.

In a particular embodiment, the cover plate front surface includes an outwardly extending load bearing functional portion, whereby the direction of the force created by the load applied to the device is generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate.

In another aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a stretch releasing adhesive strip including a non-adhesive pull tab configured for attachment to the rear surface of the base plate. When the base plate is mounted on a surface, the adhesive strip non-adhesive pull tab extends outwardly from behind the base plate. When the cover plate is connected to the base plate, the cover plate arranged in overlapping relation with the non-adhesive pull tab, thereby concealing the pull tab from view when the assembled device is viewed from the front.

In another aspect of the invention, when the device is assembled, the first and second side edges of the base plate and the first and second side edges of the cover plate are visible to a user viewing the device. In a specific embodiment, the base plate and cover plate have equal widths.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of mounting a hook on a vertical wall surface. The method comprises the steps of providing a base plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, and providing a cover plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the base plate front surface and the cover plate rear surface include a raised connecting portion and a cooperating recess configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement, such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, a load applied to the cover plate creates a force directed in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of horizontal sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate; adhering a double-sided stretch releasing adhesive strip having a non-adhesive pull tab at one end to the rear surface of the base plate such that the non-adhesive pull tab extends outwardly from behind the base plate; vertically mounting the base plate on the wall surface by adhering the base plate to the vertical wall surface using the double-sided stretch releasing adhesive strip; and connecting the cover plate to the base plate by horizontally sliding the cover plate onto the base plate from a first side edge to a second side edge, whereby the cover plate overlays the non-adhesive pull tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an article support device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an article support device in its fully assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article support device of FIG. 2 with the cover plate removed;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cover plate of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4, show an article support device 10 including a base plate 12, a cover plate 14, and a stretch releasing adhesive strip 16. For reference purposes, the device 10 is shown in an upright or vertical position as it would typically be oriented when mounted on vertical wall surface (not shown). The x-y-z coordinate system used to describe the device below is also shown.

The base plate 12 includes opposed front 18 and rear 20 major surfaces, an upper or top edge 22, a lower or bottom edge 24, a first or left side edge 26, and a second or right side edge 28. The front surface 18 of the base plate 12 includes a pair of spaced, generally parallel, raised side portions 12 a extending along each of the first 26 and second 28 side edges from the upper edge 22 to the lower edge 24. The lower end portions 12 a′ of the raised side portions 12 a define a pair of spaced leg portions that define an open region or cutout 30 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutout 30 provides an open area for accessing the non-adhesive pull tab portion 16 a of the adhesive strip 16, which extends outwardly from behind the base plate 12 into the cutout 30 when it is adhered to the rear surface 20 of the base plate 12. Alternatively, the base plate 12 may be formed without the leg portions 12 a′ such that the non-adhesive pull tab 16 a simply extends outwardly from behind the base plate 12 beyond the lower edge 24 to allow a user to grasp and stretch remove the adhesive strip 16 from an associated wall surface.

Each raised side portion 12 a includes recesses 32. The recesses 32 may be slots, notches, grooves, or the like that allow the base plate 12 to be connected with the cover plate 14 as described more fully below. To prevent the base plate 12 and cover plate 14 from separating or pulling apart in the z-direction, the slots 32 include a narrow opening or throat region 34 and a relatively wider interior region 36. The slots 32 may be provided in a variety of shapes so long as they allow the base plate 12 and cover plate 14 to be joined by lateral sliding engagement and serve to prevent the base plate and cover plate 14 from inadvertently separating. Alternatively, the front surface 18 of the base plate 12 may be formed with one continuous recess 32 in the form of an elongate channel (FIGS. 5 and 6) rather than providing spaced slots 32 in each of the raised side portions 12 a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The cover plate 14 includes opposed front 38 and rear 40 major surfaces, an upper or top edge 42, a lower or bottom edge 44, a first or left side edge 46, and a second or right side edge 48. A functional portion 50 in the form of a hook extends outwardly from the front surface 38 of the cover plate 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook portion 50 extends outwardly from the front surface 38 of the cover plate 14 adjacent the lower edge 44. While a functional portion 50 in the form of a hook is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it will be recognized that the functional portion 50 is intended to represent a wide variety of functionalities and that the functional portion 50 may take a variety of shapes and forms including, for example, a clip, a peg, or a refastenable mechanical fastener such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

The rear surface 40 of the cover plate 14 includes a raised connecting portion 52 adapted to mate with and slidably engage each slot 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised connecting portion 52 is an elongated rail extending transversely (i.e. in the x-direction) along the rear surface 40 of the cover plate 14. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the elongated rail 52 extends from the first side edge 46 of the cover plate 14 to the second side edge 48 of the cover plate 14. As shown mostly clearly in FIG. 4, the rail 52 includes a narrow neck portion 52 a extending outwardly from the rear surface 40 of the cover plate 14 generally corresponding to the narrow throat region 34 of the slot 32, and a flange portion 52 b, which is wider than the neck portion 52 a, extending from the neck portion 52 a and generally corresponding to the wide interior region 36 of the slot 32.

To facilitate proper alignment between the base plate 12 and cover plate 14 when the device 10 is assembled, the front surface 18 of the base plate 12 includes a depression or notch 54, and the raised portion 52 of the cover plate 14 includes projection 56 (FIG. 4) that is aligned with and snaps into the notch 54 when the base plate 12 and cover plate 14 are properly aligned.

It will be recognized that even though the raised connecting portion 52 is shown as being on the rear surface 40 of the cover plate 14, and the mating recesses 32 are shown as being on the front of the base plate 12, the position of the raised connecting portion and the position of the recesses may be reversed such that the front surface 18 of the base plate 12 includes the raised connecting portion and the rear surface 40 of the cover plate 14 includes the recesses 32.

The stretch releasing adhesive strip 16 includes an adhesive end portion 16 b having opposed first and second adhesive major surfaces 54 and 56, respectively, and a non-adhesive pull tab portion 16 a forming a second end portion having opposed first and second non-adhesive major surfaces 58 and 60.

The adhesive strip 16 may be any conventionally known stretch releasing tape including a pressure sensitive adhesive tape with an elastic backing, a pressure sensitive adhesive tape with a highly extensible and substantially inelastic backing, or a solid, elastic pressure sensitive adhesive. Specific tape strips suitable for use in the various embodiments of the present invention include the pressure sensitive adhesive tapes with elastic backings described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,312 (Korpman), the pressure sensitive adhesive tapes with highly extensible and substantially inelastic backings described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,581 (Kreckel et al.) and Bries et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,962); and the solid, elastic pressure sensitive adhesive described in German Patent No. 33 31 016.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in which features similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-4 are referred to with like reference numerals incremented by 100, there is shown an article support device 110 for vertical mounting on a wall surface including a base plate 112, a cover plate 114, and a stretch releasing adhesive strip 116. The device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is generally similar to the device shown in FIGS. 1-4 but differs in at least the following respects: the adhesive strip 116 is arranged to be in alignment with the direction of sliding engagement between the base plate 112 and the cover plate 114 rather than being arranged perpendicular to the direction of sliding engagement (i.e. the adhesive strip 116 is arranged horizontally and extends in the x-direction); the base plate does not include leg portions defining a cutout to provide access to the non-adhesive pull tab of the adhesive strip; the arrangement of the raised connecting portion and the corresponding recess on the base plate 112 and cover plate 114 have been reversed; and the recess is a single continuous channel rather than two spaced slots.

More specifically, the base plate 112 includes opposed front 118 and rear 120 major surfaces, an upper or top edge 122, a lower or bottom edge 124, a first or left side edge 126, and a second or right side edge 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface 118 of the base plate 112 includes a raised connecting portion 152. The raised connecting portion 152 is an elongated rail that extends transversely in the x-direction along the front surface 118 of the base plate 112 from the first side edge 126 of the base plate 112 to the second side edge 128 of the base plate 112. The rail 152 includes a narrow neck portion 152 a extending outwardly from the front surface 118 of the base plate 112, and a flange portion 152 b, which is wider than the neck portion 152 a, extending from the neck portion 152 a.

The cover plate 114 includes opposed front 138 and rear 140 major surfaces, an upper or top edge 142, a lower or bottom edge 144, a first or left side edge 146, and a second or right side edge 148. A functional portion 150 in the form of a hook extends outwardly from the front surface 138 of the cover plate. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook portion 150 extends outwardly from the front surface 138 of the cover plate 114 between the upper 142 and lower 144 edges. While the functional portion 150 is illustrated in the form of a hook, it will be recognized that the functional portion 150 may take a variety of shapes and forms including, for example, a clip, a peg, or a refastenable mechanical fastener such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

The rear surface 140 of the cover plate 114 contains a connecting slot, groove, or channel 132 adapted to slidably receive the raised connecting portion 152 of the base plate 112. The channel 132 includes a narrow opening or throat region 134 and a relatively wider interior region 136 that serve to lock the cover plate 114 to the base plate 112. The channel 132 may have a variety of shapes so long as it allows the base plate 112 and cover plate 114 to be joined by lateral sliding engagement and serves to prevent the base plate 112 and cover plate 114 from separating in the z-direction once they have been slidably connected.

The devices 10, 110 described above operate in a similar manner. To mount either device on a vertical wall surface, a first adhesive surface of the double-sided stretch releasing adhesive strip is adhered to the rear surface of the base plate such that the non-adhesive pull tab extends outwardly from behind the base plate. Next, the base plate is vertically mounted on the wall surface by adhering the second adhesive surface of the double-sided adhesive strip to the vertical wall surface. Last, the cover plate is connected to the base plate by transversely sliding the cover plate horizontally onto the base plate such that the cover plate overlays the non-adhesive pull tab. The cooperating raised portion(s) and recess(es) are configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, a load applied to the cover plate creates a force that is directed generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate (i.e. the force is directed in the y-direction), and therefore does not cause the base plate and cover plate to separate.

In the embodiments described above, when the device is assembled, the first and second side edges of both the base plate and the first and second side edges of the cover plate are visible to a user viewing the device, assuming the edges are not otherwise obscured by an item mounted on the device. This may be accomplished, for example, by making the sides of the base plate and cover plate coterminous (i.e. the base plate and cover plate have equal widths) as illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6, or by providing the cover plate with open sides that permit a user to view the sides of the underlying base plate. This is desirable because if a user who wishes to remove the device from a wall surface is able to see the connection between the base plate and the cover plate when viewing the device, he or she is more likely to recognize that the cover plate can be separated from the base plate by simply sliding the cover plate laterally off of the base plate.

Once the cover plate is removed from the base plate, the non-adhesive pull tab of the stretch releasing adhesive strip will be exposed. A user familiar with stretch releasing adhesive strips will then recognize that the device can be cleanly removed without damaging the wall surface by simply grasping and pulling down on the non-adhesive pull tab. In addition, the base plate may be provided with instructions on how to remove the device to aid one unfamiliar with the operation of stretch releasing adhesives to remove the device. Thus, by having the side edges of both the base plate and cover plate visible, the operation of the device is made more intuitive and user friendly.

The base plate and cover plate in the various embodiments of the invention may be formed of any suitable material including wood, synthetic plastic, metal, and combinations thereof.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention described above without deviating from the inventive concept. For example, the base plate and cover plate may come in a variety of shapes such as a circle, an oval, a square, etc. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of those structures. 

1. An article support device for vertical mounting on a wall surface, comprising: (a) a base plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; and (b) a cover plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; wherein the base plate front surface and the cover plate rear surface include a raised connecting portion and a cooperating recess configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, a load applied to the cover plate will create a force in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of horizontal sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate.
 2. An article support device as defined in claim 1, wherein the raised connecting portion is an elongated rail extending transversely along the rear surface of the cover plate.
 3. An article support device as defined in claim 2, wherein the rail extends from the first side edge of the cover plate to the second side edge of the cover plate.
 4. An article support device as defined in claim 2, wherein the rail includes a narrow neck portion adjacent the rear surface of the cover plate and a flange portion extending outwardly from the neck portion.
 5. An article support device as defined in claim 4, wherein the recess is a channel having a narrow throat region generally corresponding to the neck portion of the rail and has a wide retaining region generally corresponding to the flange portion of the rail.
 6. An article support device as defined in claim 1, wherein the raised portion is an elongated rail extending transversely along the front surface of the base plate.
 7. An article support device as defined in claim 6, wherein the raised portion extends from the first side edge of the base plate to the second side edge of the base plate.
 8. An article support device as defined in claim 1, wherein the cover plate front surface includes a load bearing functional portion extending outwardly therefrom, whereby the direction of the force created by the load applied to the device is generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate.
 9. An article support device as defined in claim 8, wherein the functional portion extends outwardly from the cover plate front surface adjacent the lower edge of the cover plate.
 10. An article support device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stretch releasing adhesive strip including a non-adhesive pull tab configured for attachment to the rear surface of the base plate.
 11. An article support device as defined in claim 10, wherein when the base plate is mounted on a surface, the adhesive strip non-adhesive pull tab extends outwardly from behind the base plate and further wherein the cover plate is arranged in overlapping relation with the non-adhesive pull tab, thereby to conceal the pull tab from view when the assembled device is viewed from the front.
 12. An article support device as defined in claim 1, wherein when the device is assembled, the first and second side edges of the base plate and the first and second side edges of the cover plate are visible to a user viewing the device.
 13. An article support device as defined in claim 12, wherein the base plate and cover plate have equal widths.
 14. An article support device as defined in claim 1, further comprising stop means for aligning the base plate and cover plate in a predetermined position.
 15. An article support device as defined in claim 14, wherein the stop means comprises a protrusion and a mating recess.
 16. An article support device as defined in claim 1, wherein base plate and cover plate are formed of a synthetic plastic material.
 17. A method of mounting a hook on a vertical wall surface, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, and providing a cover plate having opposed front and rear major surfaces, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the base plate front surface and the cover plate rear surface include a raised connecting portion and a cooperating recess configured to engage by horizontal sliding engagement such that when the device is mounted vertically on a wall surface, a load applied to the cover plate will create a force in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of horizontal sliding engagement between the base plate and the cover plate; (b) adhering a double-sided stretch releasing adhesive strip having a non-adhesive pull tab at one end to the rear surface of the base plate such that the non-adhesive pull tab extends outwardly from behind the base plate; (c) vertically mounting the base plate on the wall surface by adhering the base plate to the vertical wall surface using the double-sided stretch releasing adhesive strip; and (d) connecting the cover plate to the base plate by horizontally sliding the cover plate onto the base plate from a first side edge to a second side edge, whereby the cover plate overlays the non-adhesive pull tab. 